Palsgaard is working to develop more cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to eggs for products such as sponge cakes (Courtesy of Palsgaard A/S)
€5 million scheme aims to cut costs and carbon footprint
Palsgaard and Aarhus University are inviting food manufacturers to collaborate on a project to develop new plant-based replacements for egg ingredients.
The €5 million PIER (“Plant-based food ingredients to be egg replacers”) project aims to replace 10% of the eggs used globally as ingredients in food products such as baked goods, dressings, desserts, and ready meals.
Food manufacturers now have the opportunity to become frontrunners on the scheme, which is designed to cut recipe costs at the same time as reducing carbon footprint. The focus is on bringing in manufacturers that are currently using significant volumes of egg and egg powders in their products and have a strategic ambition to reduce their reliance on fresh and dried eggs.
By taking part, companies will be able to co-create with the other project members and secure priority access to the new ingredients for their own products.
Claus Hviid Christensen, Chief Executive Officer of Nexus, Palsgaard’s specialised R&D sister company, said: “The PIER project represents an exciting opportunity to drive positive change by developing more cost-effective, climate-friendly ingredients. We’re looking to bring in partners from the food industry who are ready to co-create with us, testing their existing recipes and developing new recipes using solutions that are not yet available on the market. By securing first-mover advantage on next-generation egg replacements, the successful applicants will get a big head start in being able to cut their costs and their carbon footprint.”
Sustainability is a key driver for the project, with the CO2 emissions from the global annual consumption of eggs equivalent to three times that of all container ship traffic. It is estimated that 12% of those eggs are used as ingredients in food products to provide functionality such as texture and volume by foaming, gelling, and emulsifying.1
Emulsifier and stabilizer specialist Palsgaard is working with Nexus and Aarhus University to devise plant-based solutions that can replace 10 percent of the eggs used globally as ingredients. This would be equivalent to 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions, and the aim is to reduce emissions by 33 percent.1
To achieve this goal, the plant-based alternatives must deliver on taste, sustainability, and affordability as well as functionality.
Claus Hviid Christensen added: “Plant-based ingredients have enormous commercial potential as a replacement for eggs that can substantially lower carbon emissions. We may need to develop a range of solutions to meet different application requirements and we’ll also be exploring opportunities for partial egg replacement. We’re looking forward to hearing from manufacturers who are keen to join us in pioneering innovative new solutions.”
The PIER project has a total budget of 37 million Danish Kroner (approximately €5 million) and has received a grant of 23 million Danish Kroner (approximately €3 million) from Innovation Fund Denmark.
For further information on the PIER project, visit: https://palsgaard29625.ac-page.com/pierproject
About Palsgaard: Pioneers in Plant-Based Emulsifiers
For over a century, Palsgaard has been at the forefront of plant-based food emulsifier innovation. Since our founder, Einar Viggo Schou, invented the plant-based food emulsifier in 1917, we’ve dedicated ourselves to perfecting emulsifier technology to enhance the quality of food products worldwide. Emulsifiers may be a small component of the final product, but their impact on quality is immense, enabling stable emulsions, preventing oil separation, and controlling aeration and viscosity across a wide range of applications including bakery, confectionery, condiments, dairy, ice cream, margarine, and plant-based foods.
Innovation and Expertise
Our commitment to innovation is driven by our food technology experts across seven global application centres, who are dedicated to using our understanding of emulsifiers to drive constant innovation and empower the international food industry to explore new trends. Our specialised research and development sister company, Nexus, plays a critical role in this process, having scientific freedom to push the boundaries of emulsifier technology and deliver groundbreaking solutions.
Responsibility and Sustainability
Since 1908, Palsgaard has upheld a culture of responsibility, loyalty, and respect. Our commitment to sustainability is evident in our responsible sourcing practices, efforts to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and our active participation in addressing societal challenges like food waste, loss, and scarcity. As a member of the RSPO since 2008, we offer a full range of food emulsifiers with RSPO SG certification.
Beyond Food
Our expertise extends beyond food emulsifiers to include plant-based ingredients for personal care products and polymer additives. These dual-use emulsifiers offer sustainable alternatives to conventional additive chemistry, providing benefits such as anti-static and anti-fog features that keep food packaging clean and extend food freshness.
Global Presence and Growth
Owned by the Schou Foundation, Palsgaard employs nearly 700 colleagues across 17 countries and operates six factories on four continents. In 2023, we reported a turnover of 300 million EUR (2.3 billion DKK), reflecting our strong global presence and commitment to ongoing growth and innovation.
